After running ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 2048 -f ~/.ssh/id_rsa, you notice the public key file is missing. What is the most probable cause?

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Linux CLI - SSH and Remote Access

After running ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 2048 -f ~/.ssh/id_rsa, you notice the public key file is missing. What is the most probable cause?

AThe command failed due to insufficient disk space

BYou accidentally specified a filename without the .pub extension for the public key

CYou used a passphrase that prevented public key creation

DThe private key file overwrote the public key file

Step-by-Step Solution

Solution:

Step 1: Understand ssh-keygen output files
ssh-keygen creates two files: private key (filename) and public key (filename.pub).
Step 2: Identify common mistake
If you look only for the private key filename, you might miss the public key which has .pub extension.
Final Answer:
You accidentally specified a filename without the .pub extension for the public key -> Option B
Quick Check:
Public key = filename.pub [OK]

Quick Trick: Public key always ends with .pub [OK]

Common Mistakes:

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